Sheffield Teen Awarded $2,000 Scholarship for Years of Volunteering

As a recent graduate of St. Edward High School, Sheffield Village resident Nick Morris is looking forward to college at The Ohio State University this fall. He’ll have help with the tuition since he was chosen for the 1st Annual Shining Light Charity Volunteer Scholarship.

Morris is being awarded this $2,000 scholarship for his proven dedication to Youth Challenge and its participants and mission through his five years of volunteering and 630 hours of service and his commitment to vocation involving service to others. He received the scholarship during the Youth Challenge Boating Regatta at Edgewater Yacht Club on July 23.

Youth Challenge is a nonprofit based in Westlake that provides adapted sports and recreational opportunities to children with physical disabilities. Trained teen volunteers like Morris are paired with participants to play, create, socialize and have fun.

The mission of the Shining Light Charity is to raise money to benefit organizations that provide care to children with disabilities. The primary focus is on organizations that offer programs designed to help disabled children more fully participate in sports and physical activities, like Youth Challenge.

Dan and Lisa Puthoff created the Shining Light Charity Golf Scramble in 2002. Their son, Gabriel, was born in December 2001 with a neural tube defect known as Spina Bifida. Immediately following his birth, Gabriel was transported to the NICU at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland where he underwent several surgeries in the first couple of weeks of life. Their experiences with Gabriel inspired them to create a charity to help other children with physical disabilities. In 2004, they formed an IRS registered and recognized 501(c)3 Not-for-Profit organization. In 2014, they held their 12th event and in total, have raised over $175,000 in net proceeds.

Lisa Puthoff and her three children attended the Regatta to present Morris with the scholarship. They also were able to experience some YC fun. Thank you the the Puthoff family and the Shining Light Charity and congratulations to Nick Morris!